Book Report (15)...

For those of you who happened to Google your title and ended up here, please know that one star is not a bad thing in Robin's world -- just the fact that I picked up your book and started it means that somewhere it's getting good buzz (or that your blurb was really cool). 'R' means it's a re-read. Brackets mean it's an ARC or e-galley. I'm linking to Tattered Cover's pages for the ARCs.

If you'd like to see my recent four-plus- and five-star recommendations, visit Robin ReadsnWrites.

* I didn't make it beyond the first 20 pages.** I made it to the end, but I either skimmed or skipped large sections.*** I might have skipped/skimmed, but I liked it and might read it again.**** I read at least 95% of the book and it was good -- probably will be reread.***** I read every word, and I loved it! A favorite and definite reread.

Moonfall, by Jack McDevitt ****+ DH got this for Christmas from my mom, but I snagged it when it saw it was a scifi disaster story -- and I loved it! Yes, there were some extraneous moments (where I'd skim for a page or so), and it did jump around a bit. Plus, the main event didn't occur until over halfway through the book -- BUT, I still found it very intriguing. I had a hard time putting it down and read the 500+ pages in three sittings (the bulk of it last night). The story: An interstellar object is spotted near the sun during a solar eclipse (the only time it was visible). After further study and projection, a couple of scientists realize this object will hit the moon...and because of the speed, there's a good chance pieces of the moon will actually break off and fall to earth. The President downplays the possibilities for those on earth, but as people are now living on a base in the moon (beneath the surface), they worry about evacuation. One of those people is the vice-President, and when the worst case scenario seems to happen, the VP has to worry not only about his own life (and the lives of those with him as they attempt to outrun the comet), but also the many who are dying down on earth. (Adult Science Fiction, released 1999, publisher: Harper Voyager)

Note: The book takes place in 2024, and it's funny to see some of the advances McDevitt thought could be in place by then (which probably won't be, as that's so close now).